Positive and Negative to 1/4" or XLR?

bmoney · #1 01-01-2007, 08:02 PM

If anyone can recall those old speakers that had the only connection on the back that was a black and red clip thing that you'd put a wire under each for positive and negative, it'd would really help if anyone could tell me if I could get an adapter to make that line into a 1/4" or XLR.

Thanks a bunch for all help, and if this isn't in the right forum, feel free to move it.

Big B

bmoney · #2 01-01-2007, 08:06 PM

Almost like this except the two things there are red and black.

bmoney · #3 01-01-2007, 08:09 PM

I think the speakers are JVC, model SP 7-WD, if that helps.

bongomania · #4 01-01-2007, 10:10 PM

FWIW, those are called binding posts, and there's nothing wrong with them. A lot of pro gear has binding posts. If you really prefer a jack, though...

A 1/4" works fine up to around 250 Watts; it can even handle quite a lot more wattage than that, but some people say above 250W (more or less) a 1/4" doesn't perform as well, due to thin wire gauges and small solder points.

An XLR generally has the same gauge wire connections as a 1/4", so the only benefit I know of to XLR (for speaker usage) is that they can lock into place (with a locking jack).

A Speakon plug uses much thicker wires and has a large contact point for those wires, so it can handle very high Wattage. Plus they lock into place.